Schedule

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The festival is filled with world class entertainment roaming the beach using performance to engage you through dance, skill, music and energetic stunts.

A number of stage areas in different zones that host a variety of entertainment spectacles throughout the Mother of the Nation festival. Acts include local and international performers as well as special shows, which have been custom designed for the festival.

Souq café

10 day Primal

A Life of Happiness – It's in Your Hands

Presenters: Andreea Zoia & Janine Bensouda

Abu Dhabi Big Band

The Abu Dhabi Big Band was formed at the end of 2007 to provide a medium through which locally resident jazz players could perform as a group. The intention is also to introduce the Big Band Swing, Jazz and Latino repertoire to audiences in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

The project includes the constitution of a Cultural Jazz Association with the intention to coordinate jazz events, such as concerts, festivals, jazz stages, and of course to have a permanent Big Band in the multicultural city of Abu Dhabi.

The ADBB numbers over twenty multinational professional and amateur musicians among them five saxophonists, five trumpets, four trombones, piano, guitar, bass guitar and drums. Players represent countries like Australia, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, USA, Lebanon, India, France, and Venezuela. Formed by a group of enthusiastic Jazz lovers, the band plays a variety melodies composed by well-known Artists and musicians such as Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, George Gershwin, Glenn Miller, Neal Hefty, Chuck Mangione, Tito Puente and Santana among others.

Abu Dhabi Special Olympics World Games Flag Handover Film

Aman Sherriff

A talented guitarist and singer with a passion for music and entertainment, Aman’s mission is to continually create, grow and share musical artistry through performances, recordings and song writing. With a wide repertoire of music from blues, contemporary, rock, jazz, pop and R&B, Aman has played lead guitar with bands from places like Goa, India to Boston, USA. Aman’s love for song writing and composition comes from several influences including John Lennon, Ed Sheeran, James Bay, John Mayer and many more.

App Creation

Introductory course on how to build your own app.

Arabic Orchestra

The orchestra showcases the local Arabic orchestra talents.

As Per Casper

As Per Casper, is comprised of a singer-songwriter Carla, aka Casper, creating music by collaborations with various talented performers and musicians, most recently forming a band with Moustafa Abdelhamid on guitar, Zachary Darrow on cajon, Wadeeah Al Meshkhas on guitar and the beat boxer Farah Medhat.

As Per Casper formed with a love of music at the core of all ideas and with a purpose of linking music with people to allow them to feel the energy and the power within a song, not just to sing a catchy lyric. Their musical genre is described as symphonic pop/folk, with a hint of Arabic.

Carla is also one of the co-founders of the Rock Camp for Girls UAE.

Astronomy Star Gazing

Marvel at the universe through experienced eyes to connect back to ancient navigational methods.

In this stellar dome structure workshop, the Al Sadeem astronomy team will explain how scientists use planetariums to explore the night sky and provide tops on how to identify the planets.

Use the state-of-the-art telescopes to have a go yourself!

Ayoub Magic

Ayoub is a fresh new Arabic talent to the local scene. He has recently wowed audiences at Riverland with his charismatic and mesmerising close-up magic

Back to the Future: Baembu & Sustainability in Middle East Retail

Presenter: Aimee Chango

Backyard Poetry

Partnership with open mic art house sharing the art of poetry.

Backyard Poetry

Presenters: Safwa Mohammed & Qutouf Yahia AlObaid

Bag Jump

At the heart of the experience will be a 12m-high tower that will be the launch pad for our Bag Jump experience.

Children and adults alike will be able to experience a free-fall jump from 6m and 9m heights into a specially designed safety bag. The experience encourages self-confidence and a sense of achievement as they progress from the 6m to the 9m high platforms.

Bait Al Oud Concert

Bambajam

An engaging and memorable large group music experience where participants co-create a symphony orchestra in 30 minutes using earth-friendly bamboo instruments.

Bass Mic

Beacon of Hope

Beacon of Hope UAE deliver light, life and literacy to children in challenged regions of the world, in areas impacted by war, poverty or natural disaster. Light coupled with literacy equals hope, and with hope, all things are possible

At the festival, children will be taught to assemble Beacon-in-a-Box solar light kits providing lessons in the science of light, while giving children the pride and sense of accomplishment in creating a light that they built themselves that will later be sent to less fortunate children around the world.

This activation will take place in one of the reading “nooks” in the Tranquil Park and the lights will be displayed on the trees within the park throughout the festival.

Beacon of Hope

Presenter: Larisa Miller

Boxing Fitness

Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers

Bubbles on the Beach

Canella

Through their combined cross-continental experience and a fabulous repertoire, the Canella ladies deliver a stunning performance of Arabic, Latin and classic fusion.

They’ll be performing during the festival as a duo and then solo on the harp and flute.

Carl & The Reda Mafia

Interactive Chef challenges

Circuit Training

Clarita

Climbing Wall

A fun and interactive opportunity for people to try their hand at scaling a large scale wall.

Get your children to test their limits with this 12m-high climbing wall. Four routes are available for all skill levels.

Comic Illustration

Introductory class on the art of comic illustration. Participants will be given materials and coached in the basics of this popular art form.

Containers

Converted containers offering various food options for the family.

Creating You Own Artistic Diary Workshop

Deer Hum Duo

Dhow Projection

A dhow projection looms dramatically on the beach horizon as both a reminder of traditional heritage and the promise of the future

Dr. Shefali Tsabary

Emir Corbo Magic

Emir Corbo is one of the most versatile entertainers of our time. As a juggler, magician and acrobat he astonishes his spectators with unforgettable moments. As a renowned performer, he creates a link between charming entertainment and professional service.

Emirati Women in Sustainability & Renewable Energy

With the UAE leadership’s 2021 mission to become one of the top 25 counties in the world for gender equality, Emirati women have enjoyed many opportunities to enter the workforce, including the fields critical to renewable energy and sustainability. The forum will discuss what drove these women to enter the sector and how they have been in the front lines to address the challenges posed by climate change and energy access.

Empower Women! A Vibrant Debate on Women Entrepreneurship and Leadership

Presenters: Sana Bagersh, Dareen Zoughbi and Laila El Helaly

End Small Talk

Presenters: Lyne Ismail & Farah Bushnaq

Ensijam - 17 Piece Arabic Orchestra

This phenomenal orchestra, ‘Ensijam’, is the first of its kind in the Gulf region. It consists of full-time professional Arabic musicians, all of whom play in backing groups for the region’s leading singers. Based on heritage, exploration of the Arab world, whilst also adventuring into more western sounds, the orchestra has a broad repertoire and unique soundscape created by gifted musicians, including solo Oud, Violin, Rabab and Qanoon.

Extreme Show

Faisal Al Saari & Band

Fire Blowers

Specialized fire acts perform for the guests.

Fire Dancers

Fire Blowers and Fire Eaters are typical in circus, with their resistance and skills always amazing the audience.

Our fire performances are guaranteed to give you an experience that is unique, entertaining and unforgettable as they set the night on fire with their wonderful and bold performances.

Flatly Workshop

Presenter: Fatma Hilal

Flying LED ball

Food Trucks

Food Trucks containing a variety of different International foods.

Football Freestyler

Bilal is one of the region’s finest football freestylers having won multiple global competitions with worldwide brand Red Bull. His skills are second to none and he has performed at many major events such as FIFA Club World Championships, sports brand adidas as well as actively promoting sport initiatives in schools throughout the UAE alongside leading figures within the sport.

Frequency Rider

Fusing jaw dropping science with mesmerizing spectacle, the Frequency Rider harnesses 2 million volts of electricity into a spellbinding symphony of controlled energy. Shooting lightning bolts at different sonic frequencies from hands, head, legs and metal staff alike, the show is an extraordinary union of fluid human movement, the physics of music and the volatile power of white hot electricity. As the lightning fires musical notes, an electric concerto begins to build.

Drawing on elements of modern dance, martial arts and Tesla electricity, the Frequency Rider explores the rhythm and tone of lightning as sizzling arcs of energy crackle through the atmosphere. With appearances as far afield as London, Macau, Miami and Bangkok, the Frequency Riders have established themselves across the world as a unique performance show, drawing in crowds of all ages and backgrounds to marvel at the seemingly impossible.

From Zero to SHero

Presenter: Nadine Du Toit

Funk radius: Hamdan Al Abri

ABRI is a Dubai based Funk Reggae Neo-Soul R&B Band was founded by Emirati singer Hamdan Al Abri and keyboardist Julian Symes in 2005. The band has recently released their second album, “Blank Notes” and has been performing internationally and in Dubai and Bahrain, sharing the stage with Kanye West, Mika, Joss Stone, and Ziggy Marley among others. The band is composed of 7-piece ensemble from different origins gathered to play jazzy funk tunes.

Galaxy Watercolor Workshops

Giant Light Puppet

These giant light puppets are an amazing, moveable installation that emit lights from within the puppet and are able to meander through the crowds controlled by its skilful operator.

Perfect with integration they provide an amazing opportunity for guests to get up close and personal as well as take images that can be shared.

Hadi Sarieddine

Health Myths & Lifestyle Tips

Presenter: Dr. Nas Al-Jafri

Healthy Eating for a Healthy Life

HIIT

Hip Hop

How to Love Yourself

Presenter: Hala Kazim

Inaas Percussion

Taking up drumming at the age of three as a hobby, Inaas became the first female to play drums in Syria, playing for the Mary Orchestra, the only female orchestra in the Middle East. In addition, she has participated in annual celebration of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owias Cultural Orchestra and the Al Sharq Orchestra. Her talent knows no bounds. Inaas can play classic percussion, Arabic drums, timpani, tambourine, congas, and she is also a singer!

Innovative Entrepreneurship Panel

Interactive character

Roaming costume characters are the perfect street entertainment. In elaborately themed costumes that complement the colours, theme and content of the festival as they mix and mingle with festival guests, providing photo opportunities and crazy moments that will be captured for ever.

Jamil Jabbour Band

Experimenting with blues and acoustic renditions of popular music and obvious classics, this singer/songwriter puts his heart and soul into his music to create a one-man show with soul and passion. Jamil Jabbour Band will play acoustic covers ranging from ‘The Civil Wars’ to ‘Allen Stone’, his occasional originals, heartfelt ballads and everything in between.

Jiu Jitsu

Exhibition displays and training from local professionals hosted by the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation

Josh Monteath

Jugglers

The Latino Circus are a collection of international circus street entertainers that have wowed global audiences for the last eight years and their jugglers are some of the best around.

In the UAE they have been present at many street festivals from Yasalam, Beach Canteen and Dubai Summer Surprises and entertained many families along the way.

KD

KD, a Jordanian music performer and self-taught drummer and percussionist, is passionate about exploring new rhythms and melodies. His passion led him to discovering the unique Hang drum, an instrument generally played with the hands and fingers that can sound like a harp or bells. He’s now based in Dubai and performs the Hang drum at various venues and events around the city as a soloist, and also performs with different programmed music styles.

Khalifa Anasser

Emirati singer Khalifa’s love with music led him to learn different instruments. Singing is a passion of him and he loves sharing it with people. Khalifa is quickly growing in popularity within the local scene.

Kids Yoga 3-6yrs

Kids Yoga 7-11yrs

Kids Zumba

Kindermisik

Bring your child to this widely-acclaimed music learning programme for young children, structured around singing, listening and movement.

Lap Tap Guitar

Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Adam began as a busker and it was here he got his first taste of street performing, eventually taking his skills around the world. His talent has been heard from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Bahrain Formula One, Dubai Street Festival, Muscat Festival, and more. Adam is not your everyday acoustic player, using a technique called “Lap Tapping”, where he rests the guitar on his lap and powerfully taps the frets and strings to create a captivating cacophony.

Leading MOM Bloggers Panel

Presenters: Louise Karim & Zeina Abdalla

LED Kite Making

Lidia Stankulova

Lifestyle Design

Lower Back and Posture Workshop

Let the healing hands of a wellness professional guide you to better back habits to reduce pain and improve life satisfaction.

Lulu Project

Lulu is a collaboration between Jordanian guitarist Kamal Musallam and Emirati band Sokoor Al Magabeel, creating a fusion of jazz, soul and Arabic Emirati traditions. Kamal Musallam is a pioneer of Arabic fusion since 1999 with three releases “On A Jordan River‘s Side”, “Out Of My City” and “Songs For Seung-eun”. He transports audiences to a magical world of music through the dulcet tones of his traditional Arabic Oud, and the newly invented instrument “the Glissentar”. Famed for his exotic musical combinations of traditional Arabic tunes with flamenco and jazz, he has performed with international artists such as Billy Cobham, Bobby McFerrin, Randy Brecker and Stanley Jordan among many others. Kamal Musallam and his group members have previously played at International Jazz Festivals and have also performed internationally in UK, France, China, Japan, India and Indonesia.

Malena

Cuban flautist Malena has a wealth of experience with her instrument. What makes Malena stand out is her widely diverse repertoire. Bringing a plethora of traditional Latin music to the table, she is also a consummate classical flautist and expertly proficient in traditional and popular Arabic music.

Marimba MT

Bulgarian-native Mishel Taufik is the UAE’s leading marimba player. Not only does he have a large repertoire of classical music down to an expert finesse, he easily glides through Latin and pop with heaps of charisma to boot.

Mohammed Al Shehhi

Mohammed Hilal Zaid Al-Shehhi was born in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, and his ambition to become an artist began in childhood where he practiced his hobby at school.

Mohammed Al-Shehhi was born on February 25, 1993 and began his career with his first songs “Hirati” and “Samti” which were hugely popular in the Arab world.

He often incorporates western sound within his Emirati songs to form a contemporary fusion. His YouTube channel has amassed more than 350,000 subscribers.

His song “Kachf Al Mahaba”, released in 2016, has achieved more than 25 million views and was on the list of best songs of the year.

Muscle Beach

Workout on the beach LA Style with full training sessions and pointers to perfect your gym sessions.

New Orleans Jazz Band

This vintage-inspired ensemble play pure New Orleans Jazz. The band consists of highly skilled and experienced jazz musicians, and as a result, their sound has a stunningly authentic feel and delightful foot-tapping rhythm. Embracing the classic style of New Orleans the band are an engaging live act.

These guys are going to be spread out over the festival performing not only as a four piece on the happiness stage, but also as a three piece and a duo on the pop up stages.

Organic Living

Oud Musician

People's Tapestry

Weave a rich tapestry of your own life with this collaborative art project. Each pin on a board will be labelled with either a personality trait or descriptor.

Men will be given a white string and women a black one, to connect all of the descriptors that they identify with (i.e. father, brother, son, generous, loving, strong, etc.) so that each string represents one person’s life.

As all of the visitors attach their strings to the board it will create a beautiful tapestry that represents how our lives are uniquely our own, but they bisect and overlap in common ways.

It glows at night to create a beautiful sculpture of collaboration.

Pipe Guy

Pipe Guy is an Adelaide based street performer and live artist, famous for playing his home made PVC pipe instrument with a pair of flip flops. His music has been described as an acoustic version of contemporary electronic dance music.

He created his instrument after watching Blue Man Groups DVDs as a teenager and growing up learning how to play various instruments. The pipe instrument is called a Tubulum and has been around for decades. Pipe Guy condensed the size of the traditionally large Tubulum into something that was compact enough to use for street performances and that would fit onto a plane, but with over 30 metres total length of pipes!

The music itself is influenced by house and techno music as well as artists such as The Knife, Jon Hopkins, Grimes, Fever Ray, and Bjork. The result is a high energy performance that makes you feel like you're in a nightclub as you walk down the street, or amplified on a stage accompanied by a drum machine and synthesiser for larger crowds.

PixelPyros

PixelPyros is a digital firework display controlled by you. This large-scale light installation from award winning artist Seb Lee-Delisle sees computer generated fireworks projected onto a large state of the art screen using projectors and lasers.

Each firework is then set off by members of the audience using motion sensors. Up to thirty people can participate at once, and each show is uniquely choreographed by the crowd.

Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions

After sold out performances in Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and selling 5,000 tickets in Philadelphia, fans across the UAE will soon get the opportunity to see and hear Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions in Abu Dhabi.

Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions is the must-see video game concert of the year, giving fans and newcomers of all ages the chance to experience the evolution of the Pokémon franchise like never before. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to meet up with friends of all ages to catch, battle and trade Pokémon from your favourite games.

The unique concert is a spectacular showcase of the memorable music that has been a hallmark of the Pokémon franchise for nearly 20 years. The concert series serves as a ‘thank you’ to fans and an invitation to share our passion for Pokémon by reliving some of our fondest memories with the brand. Fans of all ages are invited to enjoy this very special Pokémon orchestral event together.

Qi Gong

Rotating: LED Kite making workshops

Sadiq Jaafar Band

Sadiq Jaafar is a successful Iraqi musician, specialising in solo Oud, but also playing with bands and orchestras. Now a shining star in the Arab world, he is revered as one of the region’s finest Oud musicians.

He curated his own band, drawing in some of the Arab world’s most accomplished musicians, to produce original compositions with his signature elegant touch of blending Oud with complementary genres, such as jazz and flamenco.

Renowned for his musical compositions and recordings, Sadiq originally launched his career performing at many International and Arabic musical festivals. He cites as a career highlight his participation in the Sharjah International Music Festival, where he delivered a breath-taking performance with his signature Oud Night.

Sadiq’s unique style of playing the Oud is acknowledged in various tracks by many well-known Arabic artists, including Kadim El Sahir, Mohammed Abdo, Rashid El Majed, Hussain El Jasmi etc.

In 2012, Sadiq launched his successful CD Arabian Oud Nights (which remained in Virgin Megastore’s top 10 chart for over 10 weeks) and more recently he released Oud Vibes.

Sandfall

Sandfall is a collaboration between hang drum player Sherif and harpist Lidia, both musical pioneers in the Middle East. This unique combination – a juxtaposition of new and old instruments and among the most enchanting ever, and a harmonious blend of vibes and beats - is both inspiring and calming.

The artists will be playing as a duo, and then solo throughout the festival

Sandfall - Hang Drum

Seating

Various benches, seating areas and relaxing chairs to sit and rest.

Seesaws

Illuminated seesaws where the light moves up and down in harmony with the movement.

Sherine

Sherine Tohamy became the first female student to graduate from Cairo’s Arab Oud House with first class distinction. In 2002, she took up teaching, first in Cairo in 2002 and then from 2009, in Bait Al Oud in Abu Dhabi. Sherine has released two albums and performed all over the world as a soloist or with international bands. She has performed with her own female band NAJMAAT since 2011. In 2015, she became an Oud Adjunct instructor at the New York University - Abu Dhabi Arts Center’s Music Department.

Social BUZZ: How Social Influences Are Shaping Our World

Story Telling

They create a colourful environment, full of books and other interesting things, to entertain children and to encourage them to learn through reading.

At the festival, they will activate the reading spaces in the Tranquil Park encouraging children to read from within one of the book nooks in the park.

Sustainable Fashion

Tai Chi

Tell A Story with Your Smartphone

Presenter: Hassan Kiyany

The Art of Connection – How to Make People Fall in Love With You

The Deer Hum

With a common love for the music running through their veins, this group of friends began playing together everywhere from people’s living rooms to big stages. Their well-written originals send waves and great vibes to anyone fortunate to be around when the music is happening, and they cite Coldplay, Bob Dylan, John Mayer and Michael Jackson as influences.

The Importance of Parent & Child Relationship

Presenter: Harm Jager/Haddins

The Josh Monteath Band

His songs, like most songwriters’, are derived from his own personal life and experiences using the golden rule that to be able to write well, one must write what one knows. In his case, he writes about the people around him, little things we do, that girl, and what inspires him, whether it be good or bad.

More than anything, he enjoys sharing his music and stories and hopes that people find their own way of relating to it.

He has become a regular performer at events by the grassroots music initiative “Freshly Ground Sounds” and “The Fridge”…and you can be sure to see a lot more of him.

Josh will be playing with his band on the Progress stage but also make sure to catch one of his solo slots on the pop up stages.

The World is Your Canvas

Torn Paper Collage Workshop

Presenters: Maysoon & Bassam

Type 2 Error

Urban Garden

A garden in the city to sit and relax need to the beach dining area.

Urban Magician

Vinyasa

Virtual Reality Studio

Experience the future of virtual entertainment and embark on a VR journey.

Water Light Graffiti

Experience the glow in this dazzling interactive installation featuring thousands of LEDs.

Try your skills as an eco-friendly graffiti artist and create mesmerizing patterns, leave secret messages or just play noughts and crosses. A sponge, brush, water gun and water atomizer are your tools as you use water to make your mark.

Water wall

An interactive wall in the ambient garden made of empty water bottles that grows with each day’s recycling, spelling out a message of inspiration by the festival’s end.

Where The Magic Happens

Women in Tech: BEEM – The Beauty Emergency App

Workshop: Parkour

Yoga

Join a yoga instructor as he leads a beginners’ group class in the open air.

The classes are open to all groups.

Zip Line

Try a 35m-long zip line shooting from the very top of the tower at 12m down to a landing pad at ground level.

Zumba

Take part in an instructed exercise class using multiple dance and cardio elements. Have fun with this enjoyable form of dancing for the family.